The Cheapest New Cars of 2019

These cars deliver a safe, reliable ride and even some advanced features, without breaking the bank.

Cars were invented to make travel easier, plain and simple. Once that was mastered, it became about creating better cars: faster, more luxurious, more fuel efficient. The race to the top of these peaks continues even as cars remain, first and foremost, a mode of transportation – they get you where you need to go. For most of us, that’s what we’re looking for. Any luxuries are an added bonus. So when you parse a car down to its most essential function, which automobiles are worth their weight in gold (so to speak)? These are our top picks for the cheapest new cars of 2019.

Hyundai Accent

MSRP: $15,915

The Hyundai Accent is a great all-around car that still comes with a low price tag. Depending on the trim level you’re willing to upgrade to, the Accent can deliver nearly all the features of a much costlier automobile.

The Accent’s stylish interior and exterior belie its reasonable price. The four-cylinder engine, although it can be noisy, creates 130 horsepower. The basic trim level comes with a five-inch touchscreen infotainment system. Higher trims have a seven-inch screen compatible with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto.

For cost-conscious consumers, a good warranty is essential. Hyundai delivers with a 5-year/60,000-mile warranty and 10-year/100,000-mile powertrain warranty.

Nissan Versa

MSRP: $13,255

Right off the bat, the Nissan Versa wins the pricing battle as it has the lowest starting MSRP in America. If you’re looking for a reliable ride at a rock-bottom price, this may be just the car for you. The Versa is a no-frills automobile. Still, it comes with a more legroom than one would expect, plenty of cargo room, and a 109-horsepower that’s more than adequate. It also received a four star crash test rating.

To get to the low price, however, the Versa comes with manually operated crank windows, door locks and transmission, which can seem archaic to most drivers. But if you’re willing to move up to a higher trim level, these problems are remedied, and you can also pick up features such as Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, push-button ignition, cruise control and a seven-inch touch-screen display.

For whatever drawbacks the Versa has, it also something that is nearly nonexistent in the car-buying world: a safe, dependable, fuel-efficient automobile for less than $15,000.

Chevrolet Spark

MSRP: $14,095

If you believe the cheapest new cars can’t come equipped with the latest technology, the Chevrolet Spark is here to prove you wrong. Even the lowest trim level features an infotainment system with seven-inch touchscreen, Android Auto and Apple CarPlay, Bluetooth and two USB ports. It also includes safety technology such as collision warning and low-speed auto-braking.

The subcompact size doesn’t provide much interior space but helps make the Spark a great commuter car if you work in a crowded city. Adding to its allure is its great fuel-efficacy, boasting a combined 33 mpg.

Mitsubishi Mirage

MSRP: $14,875

The name of the game for the Mitsubishi Mirage is price control. While it is not the cheapest new car of 2019, it still clocks in under $15,000. Plus, it checks the fuel-efficiency box with a combined 36 mpg. However, the tradeoff for its great mileage is a three-cylinder engine that produces just 78 horsepower. It also lacks many of the advanced safety features found in other cars within its segment.

The Mirage does offer such as Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, heated front seats, remote keyless entry and cruise control. It also comes with a standard 5-year/60,000-mile basic warranty and 10-year/100,000-mile powertrain warranty.

Ford Fiesta

MSRP: $15,235

The first thing you should know about the Ford Fiesta is that if you’re interested in purchasing it, you’ll need to act fast. After 2019, Ford will cease manufacturing the model, along with several other passenger cars.

With that said, you may indeed want to pick up a Fiesta as it has a lot to offer. The subcompact car offers a sleek look, sporty ride and good fuel-efficiency. The Fiesta handles itself well on the road with a balanced ride and 1.6-liter engine that delivers a more-than-adequate 120 horsepower. Those willing to spend a little more can upgrade to an EcoBoost engine that will whip you around on 197 horsepower. The Sync 3 infotainment system allows voice control of the audio, phone and available navigation, as well as integration with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto.

The Fiesta does have an aging platform that foregoes many of the latest safety features. However, with all it does offer, the Ford Fiesta is well worth the money.

Hi Paulette, here’s the response from our car expert John Paul: Today’s vehicles, even basic vehicles, come with advanced safety technology and this technology can be life-saving. In fact just like anti-lock brakes and stability control systems, in the next couple of years we will see automatic emergency braking in most vehicles. If you can find a 2018 Hyundai Santa Fe Sport in the base model, it only has anti-lock brakes, stability control and of course airbags. Most Subaru models from the 2018 year have Subaru’s EyeSight system (a full safety suite) but if you can find a base model it will be lacking these feature, which are now standard for 2019.

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